This torque converter translates twisting force between newton-metres, pound-feet, pound-inches and kilogram-force metres — the units that collide in every workshop manual.
Vocabulary truce: engineers write lbf·ft for torque and ft·lbf for energy to keep the twins distinguishable — the numbers convert identically, the concepts (twist vs work) don’t merge. This page converts torque specs, the kind torque wrenches are set by.
1 lbf·ft = 1.35582 N·m — the Manual Merger Constant
Why the car built in Japan, assembled in Ohio, and documented in Germany needs this page. The physics of torque itself (τ = rF·sin θ) lives on our Torque Calculator. Part of our Conversion Calculators collection.
Anchor Conversions (Verified)
- 100 N·m = 73.76 lbf·ft = 885.1 lbf·in = 10.20 kgf·m — the defaults; roughly a small car’s lug-nut spec (which commonly runs 80–100 lbf·ft = 108–136 N·m)
- Quick mental bridges: N·m → lbf·ft multiply by ~0.738 (¾ for the driveway); lbf·ft → N·m multiply by ~1.356 (4/3 plus a hair)
- Small-fastener world runs in lbf·in and cN·m: bicycle cockpit bolts at 5 N·m = 44 lbf·in — a foot-pound wrench can’t even read its own safety zone there
- Engine ratings quote peak torque in either dialect by market; the conversion decides many a spec-sheet argument
Workshop Cautions
- Torque-wrench accuracy lives mid-scale: pick the wrench whose range centers your spec.
- Lubricated vs dry threads change achieved clamp load at identical torque (friction eats the difference) — manuals specify the condition, not just the number.
- “Breakaway” and prevailing-torque fasteners break the clean conversion story; follow the service procedure.
- Never convert by dividing in the wrong direction under a car: sanity-check with the anchors above (N·m figures are always the bigger number vs lbf·ft).
Related Tools
- Torque Calculator — τ = r·F·sin θ
- Pressure Converter — psi, bar, atm & more
- Conversion Calculators — the full collection
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert N·m to foot-pounds?
Multiply by 0.7376 (equivalently divide by 1.35582): 100 N·m = 73.76 lbf·ft. Reverse: lbf·ft × 1.35582 = N·m. This converter covers pound-inches and kgf·m from the same entry.
Is it foot-pounds or pound-feet?
For torque, pound-feet (lbf·ft) is the precise term — a pound of force on a one-foot lever. “Foot-pound” properly names energy (ft·lbf). Speech ignores the distinction; spec sheets shouldn’t, and the numeric conversion is the same either way.
Why do small bolts use inch-pounds?
Resolution: a 5 N·m bicycle bolt is 44 lbf·in but only 3.7 lbf·ft — foot-scaled wrenches can’t set it accurately. Inch-pound (and metric cN·m) wrenches exist for the small-fastener regime where snapped bolts and crushed carbon live.
What is kgf·m?
Kilogram-force metre: the torque of a 1 kg weight hanging on a 1 m lever = 9.80665 N·m exactly (standard gravity). It persists in Japanese and older European manuals — 10.2 kgf·m ≈ 100 N·m is the handy anchor.
Does torque convert like energy?
Numerically yes (dimensions match: force × distance), conceptually no: torque’s distance is a lever arm perpendicular to force, energy’s is displacement along it. Treat conversions here as torque-spec translations, which is what manuals need.
Is this torque converter free?
Yes — free, instant, no sign-up.